Following the ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau along with his wife and children paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
Trudeau, his wife Sophie and three children– Xavier, Ella-Grace and Hadrien paid floral tributes at the memorial of the ‘father of the nation’ on the banks of River Yamuna.
The Canadian PM laid a wreath of white carnations and then offered rose petals along with his family.
In praise of Mahatma Gandhi, the Canadian prime minister, in a note in the visitor’s book at Rajghat, wrote: “It is an honour to be in this place of peace.”
As Trudeau penned his thoughts, his youngest son Hadrien, who will turn four this month, rolled on the green carpet, stealing all the limelight.
Sophie Trudeau wrote the words, “Satya, Ahimsa, Shanti (Truth, Non-Violence, Peace)” — the ideals Gandhi preached and stood for till he breathed his last.
Meanwhile, Xavier and Ella-Grace wrote “thank you” and signed their names in the visitor’s book, Hadrien just managed to scribble the alphabet ‘H’ in capital letter.
Earlier in the day, Trudeau was given a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan where he was welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Modi had on Thursday evening welcomed Trudeau on his visit and said that he looked forward to meeting him on Friday.
In a separate tweet, Modi said that he hoped Trudeau had an enjoyable visit to India so far and that he particularly looked forward to meeting Trudeau’s children.
He also posted a picture of him along with Trudeau and Ella-Grace during his visit to Canada in April 2015.
Modi’s comments came even as a row broke out about an invitation being extended to convicted Khalistan separatist Jaspal Atwal by the Canadian High Commission here for a reception on Thursday night in honour of the visiting dignitary.
The High Commission has since rescinded the invitation and the Indian External Affairs Ministry has said that it is being ascertained how India issued a visa to Atwal.